Slipstream FAQs

Slipstream is a portable, battery powered, swim-in-place machine that creates a smooth, even current for home pools. The 34 lb swim unit rolls for easy placement and generates a current of up to 3000 gallons per minute using our 22 lb rechargeable lithium ion battery. Swimmers control the speed with a simple knob that can be turned all the way up to a 1:20 100-yard pace. (Experienced swimmers will recognize this as 4 lengths of a 25 yard pool in 80 seconds. Many swimmers can beat this pace for a lap or two, but not longer. To see if a Slipstream is right for you, try this test yourself.)

Slipstream engages the whole body — without impact on joints! — making it ideal for lap swimming, triathlon training, aquatics fitness, and even playful fun. (A lazy river, anyone?) Other features include a digital battery display, USB charging ports on the battery pack, and best of all, a debris collection screen that cleans the pool while you swim. 

Slipstream lets you swim in place in your existing pool with absolutely no renovation required. You avoid busy public pools, lane sharing, and the indignity of flip turns. Compared to jets or tethers, Slipstream provides a smooth, even flow that closely mimics open water conditions. It’s also far more compact and lower cost than built-in swim jets or swim spas.  Review our Slipstream vs The Alternatives page to compare the cost and features of a Slipstream other swim in place alternatives. 

Slipstream is great for all levels — including novice swimmers! You don’t have to be a strong swimmer to enjoy or benefit from Slipstream. In fact, many customers use it to help new swimmers build endurance, develop better technique, and gain confidence in the water.  If you need to start swimming or do aquatic fitness due to aging joints or rehabbing from an injury, Slipstream is a perfect addition to your pool.

The key is adjustability: you can set the current to a very gentle pace, and beginners can start farther back from the unit where the flow is wider, smoother, and less intense. The consistent, even current helps swimmers learn to maintain body position and rhythm without having to stop and turn at the wall like in a traditional pool. Many parents, adult learners, and swim instructors love Slipstream because it offers a forgiving environment to practice safely at your own pace — and as your skills grow, you simply dial up the challenge!  Best of all you can skip traveling to community pools or swim clubs, waiting for lanes or feeling uncomfortable swimming in lanes with other swimmers.

Yes! Because the machine allows swimmers to remain in place, coaches can observe their stroke and provide immediate, significant feedback. Slipstream’s adjustable speed lets instructors tailor the current to each swimmer’s skill level — from beginners learning basics to advanced swimmers fine-tuning technique. 

Coaches often pair Slipstream with the Underwater Mirror (sold separately) so swimmers can immediately see and correct their form. Whether you’re teaching freestyle, backstroke or more advanced skills like bilateral breathing, Slipstream creates a consistent environment that builds confidence and accelerates learning. Add our bone-conducting headphones so your coach can speak directly to you while you’re swimming. With these same headphones, you can stream your favorite music or podcasts from your phone while you swim. 

While Slipstream was designed for swim training, our customers have found all kinds of creative ways to use it! Beyond lap swimming and triathlon prep, many families use Slipstream to create a mini "lazy river" effect for fun pool days — kids love trying to body board or floating on tubes in the current.

Slipstream is also a fantastic tool for aquatic fitness: you can walk, jog, or do water aerobics against the current for low-impact cardio that’s easy on joints but great for strength and endurance. Some customers even use aquatic dumbbells, belts, or resistance bands to turn their pool into a full-body workout zone.

Therapists and rehab specialists have also incorporated Slipstream into aquatic therapy programs to help clients recover strength and mobility after injuries.

We even have customers that use sea khakis, paddle boards and even surfers that want to train their muscles for paddling out to waves. And we also have some happy dogs that get in on the swimming action!    

In short, Slipstream transforms any pool into a versatile, dynamic aquatic environment — perfect for fitness, family fun, and serious swim training alike!

Slipstream fits almost any inground or above-ground pool. We developed this Planning Guide, to allow you to quickly understand what location may be best in your pool.  The guide also identifies pool situations that may require us to modify the unit to make it compatible with your pool. For example, if you have a ledge around your entire pool, we may need to provide setbacks so the Slipstream contacts the pool wall best.

The Slipstream swim unit extends about 35 inches below the water line, so your pool must be at least 35” deep. Our standard adjustable rail accommodates pools with 0” to 11″ of “freeboard” (deck-to-water distance) and up to 1-1/2″ of coping overhang. An optional longer rail is available. The unit works in concrete, fiberglass, or vinyl-lined pools — no sharp edges to harm liners. For best results, mount Slipstream at least 11 ft from the opposite wall to allow ample swimming space; we recommend the shallow end so you can easily touch bottom when not swimming. 

If you have an above-ground pool, add Slipstream’s Above-Ground Pool Kit (sold separately) – it provides a shelf for the battery box and a protective sleeve to safeguard the pool’s liner. 

We can help!  We would be more than happy to speak with you about pool options.  Our team has decades of experience with swimming machines and swimming pools.  

We have a network of pool builders and manufacturers who recommend Slipstream and we are happy to help connect you based on your budget and location.

We even can help recommend low-cost DIY options. For example, a 18’ x 9’ aboveground pool, fully compatible with Slipstream, costs only $1,000. We also have experience with indoor steel panel pools that can be set up in a basement or sunroom.  

Contact us at 484-254-6674. We are delighted to assist you.

You Slipstream comes fully assembled. Simply unbox the swim unit, adjust the rail height to fit your pool, place the battery in the Power Supply box, and connect the red and black leads. You’re set to swim! The battery arrives with a 20% charge so after your first test swim put it on the charger. 

Yes. Both the swim unit (≈34 lb) and battery pack (≈22 lb) are easy to lift; the swim unit has wheels as well. To remove the swim unit, simply unplug the battery box and lift the swim unit out of the water. We recommend removing the swim unit from the water when not swimming to prevent prolonged water exposure, especially in salt pools. Tilt it on its back for a few seconds to drain any excess water. 

Slipstream fits in most car trunks.The portability makes it easy to share the Slipstream with friends or bring it to a pool party to create a lazy river!  

The water flow (current speed) is fully adjustable via the knob on the battery box. It ranges continuously from off (0) to full power (11). Swimmers seeking lighter workouts and beginners can swim with the dial at a low setting or by moving farther back; even 10  feet back is much slower than 2 or 3 feet. Understand that the further back you swim, the smoother and wider the current becomes. Beginner swimmers especially should swim further back to better stay in the current even with inconsistent strokes. Advanced swimmers can crank it up — the max speed of the P3000 is a 1:20 100-yard pace. This translates to four lengths of a 25 yard pool in 80 seconds, which most swimmers find a challenge! 

For the smoothest flow, set the top of the swim unit’s outlet grill to the pool’s waterline. Adjust the rail height with the pull pins.

Make sure the top of the Slipstream’s outlet grill is at the pool’s waterline (adjust the rail height if needed) – this alignment gives the smoothest flow.

Almost any swim or water workout can be done with a Slipstream. Similar to a treadmill or exercise bike, Slipstream is perfect for novice swimmers looking to improve. Or it can be the perfect training partner for strong swimmers, coaches teaching stroke technique or even Ironman™ athletes preparing for the 2.4 mile open water swim.    

A workout might feature a continuous swim against the current (endurance training) or structured sets (intervals, sprints, etc.). For example, warm up 5 min, swim 5×1 min with 1 min rest, then cool down. Remember, Slipstream is not just for freestyle swimming: you can swim any style from breast to butterfly and even backstroke to help exercise different muscles.

Swim coaches use Slipstream for stroke technique. Our underwater mirror accessory (sold separately) allows you to watch and correct your form in real time. What traditional pool can provide that? 

Other uses include aquatic fitness. Jog or walk in the current for low-impact cardio, or use aquatic exercise tools such as kickboards, water weights, and belts against the flow. Family fun and swim lessons are also popular — kids can play on a bodyboard or learn to swim with the current at low speed. In short, you can incorporate Slipstream into any swim routine: freestyle, backstroke, drills, or water aerobics. We recommend varying strokes and intervals to keep workouts interesting.

Every Slipstream we ship includes a centering marker and a center-mount snorkel to help improve alignment and simplify breathing so you can concentrate on your swimming.

 We also offer several accessories to enhance training:

• Underwater Swim Mirror – a large shatterproof mirror you simply lay on the pool bottom to monitor and improve your stroke.
• Aquatic Fitness Kit – kick board, pull buoy, swim belt, aquatic dumbbells, and mesh bag for water aerobics. This is great for non-swimming exercises against the current.
  
  
• Additional Power Supply – Our battery provides approximately 2.5 miles of swimming. A second 24 V rechargeable power supply allows you to swap batteries to swim longer. This additional power supply is often purchased by swim coaches or non-residential customers such as swim clubs, colleges and colleges.
  
  

All of these kits are optional but are designed to maximize your swim-training experience with Slipstream. All are available through our online store.

Slipstream is designed to be low maintenance, but regular care will keep it running smoothly year after year. After each use, unplug the Slipstream from the battery box and remove it from the pool. If possible, rinse the steel base of the unit with fresh water to remove salt or chemicals. We also recommend tilting the unit or resting it on the ground for a second to make sure all the water drains. Store the unit and cover it with the included slipover cover. Next, bring the battery box inside to charge.

For winter storage, keep the battery box indoors above freezing, as cold temperatures can damage batteries. The swim unit itself can be stored anywhere out of weather. 

Owners of saltwater pools should note that salt can corrode metal over time. Slipstream has two zinc “sacrificial anodes” to prevent this, but we advise removing the unit after each swim and rinsing it to maximize its useful life.

For winter storage, keep the battery pack indoors above freezing (cold temperatures can damage batteries); the swim unit itself can be stored anywhere out of weather. 

In saltwater use, note that salt can corrode metal over time – Slipstream has a sacrificial anode, but we advise removing the unit after each swim and rinsing it to maximize its useful life.

The Slipstream battery box contains a 24V 60Ah LiFePO4 lithium ion battery. Charge it using the provided charger plugged into a standard 110 V outlet. Try and keep the battery at least 20% charged. If fully discharged charge immediately to maximize battery life. We designed the battery box so that it cannot be charged when the swim unit is in use.  This is for safety reasons and to abide by pool codes.  The Slipstream battery is a DC marine battery that is safe to use near water.  Never bring AC power cords near the pool to charge the unit.  Bring the battery box to an outlet for charging.  

When not in use, store the battery indoors to avoid extreme temperatures.  

The batteries themselves are IP67 rated and designed for a harsh marine environment. Still, if the battery pack is dropped into the pool or inadvertently falls into the pool, you should fish out promptly and lay it on its side to allow it to drain. Call customer service.

Slipstream comes with a 30-day Satisfaction Guarantee. If the machine does not meet your expectations, you may return it within 30 days of delivery for a full refund minus any shipping costs. We also include a full 2-year manufacturer’s warranty on the unit and a 5-year warranty on the batteries. Read our full Warranty & Customer Satisfaction Guarantee. 

Slipstream is backed by a 2-year manufacturer’s warranty on the swim unit covering defects in materials and workmanship, and a 5-year warranty on the battery. This reflects our confidence in the product’s quality and durability. The warranty specifically covers manufacturer defects that affect functionality. It does not cover damage from misuse, accidents, neglect (for example, leaving the swim unit in the pool for extended periods of time), unauthorized modifications, or normal wear. The warranty is non-transferable and applies only to the original purchaser. 

If you need service, simply contact Slipstream customer support and describe the issue. We will either repair or replace the part / product at our discretion. All authorized repairs or returns need prior approval — unapproved modifications will void the warranty. For prompt assistance, please email support@swimslipstream.com or call our support team at 484-254-6674. We are happy to answer questions and troubleshoot issues.  If we determine the unit is out of the warranty period or the issue is not covered based on the warranty terms, we will work with customers to provide a cost effective solution for repairing or replacing the unit.

Under our 30-day satisfaction guarantee, contact us within one month of delivery to initiate a return. We’ll provide return instructions. Repack the unit in its original boxes and send it back. Once we receive and inspect the equipment (it should be in good working order), we’ll process your refund for the purchase price. Return shipping fees are non-refundable. Remember: to keep your warranty valid, do not leave Slipstream submerged in the pool when not in use.

2025 Models (colored battery box lid):

First, make sure the power supply is charged.  Second, once plugged into the power supply, make sure you have turned the speed dial to “0” for 5 seconds.  This initializes the motor and you will often hear a few beeps.  Once it is initialized, turn up the speed and the current will flow. Most non-working motors are due to forgetting this set-to-0 step.   

2024 Models (black battery box lid):

On our 2024 models, you must also remember to make sure the power switch on the box lid is turned on. If there is still no power, inspect for any damage to cables and contact support.

Slipstream’s current is wide and deep enough to swim comfortably in place. Depending on your strength and your swim-lane experience, however, you may actually be swimming out of the current and therefore not experiencing its full resistance.  We recommend putting the centering torpedo marker we provide on the pool bottom so you can stay centered in the current without looking up at the machine. When you look up your feet will drop. Head position is important for balance swimming.  We also recommend swimming at least 5 feet away from the unit to let the current widen and deepen even more.  

Slipstream’s 24V DC battery is rated IP67, so it can withstand rain or splashes. If the battery is pushed or dropped in the pool, however, immediately fish it out, lay it on its side to drain, and let it dry completely. The box is designed so you won’t directly touch battery terminals when retrieving it.  

Please contact support at support@swimslipstream.com or call us at 484-254-6674 before using the unit again.

For safety reasons, the National Electric Code allows submerged pool equipment of up to 30 Volts DC. Our 24 Volt DC Slipstream has been designed with pool safety in mind. We only use 24V high-quality lithium ion batteries (LiFePO) that are UL  CE safety certified. These batteries have an IP67 rating which means that for a short time they may be submerged. That said, we want very much to avoid submersion in water. If the Power Supply accidentally falls in the pool, it should be fished out immediately and laid on its side to drain.

Absolutely. There are no suction or pinch points; the intake grill is covered. However, as with any pool activity, children should always be supervised. Use the Slipstream with good judgment: do not force the current higher than you can handle, and stop if you feel unwell. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for setup and operation.

No. There are no sharp edges to contact the pool — the housing is smooth and plastic-coated. That said, we do not make any representations that we will cover accidental damage such as scratches to a pool wall or coping.  We suggest you do not drag the unit against the coping but rather lift it straight upward out of the pool. 

For above-ground vinyl-lined pools with no coping, we provide a protective sleeve in our above-ground pool kit to safeguard the top rail.